A large crowd gathered Friday night in Pasadena for a candlelight vigil in memory of an infant who authorities said was sexually assaulted and beaten by her mother's boyfriend.

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People from several communities gathered to show their love and support. Some who attended were strangers horrified by what happened. They want the family to know they are not alone in their grief.

"It is such a beautiful night out here, and we are out here for such a tragic sorrowful thing, but I think it does help to show that people do care about you," said Marjorie Dickerson, a family friend.

According to the criminal complaint filed in West Virginia, where the family moved to from Maryland this summer, 10-month-old Emma-Leigh Barringer suffered extensive bleeding. Authorities said the evidence indicates a violent sexual assault, and shaking or striking of the face.

Those who gathered want to make it clear that what happened to Emma-Leigh is not her mom's fault."He had her blinded by love, and it's not her fault. People are saying she should have never had him around her babies. That's not true. Don't blame this on her. She has got enough grief to deal with," said Denise MacDonald, another family friend.

Emma-Leigh's relatives wore a photo of her on their T-shirts. They all asked for privacy but told the crowd everyone is in shock. They said they appreciate the outpouring of love.

"Everybody, I think, can empathize with the situation and think of their own kids, and if it were something that could happen to their child. It's just unimaginable that somebody could do something that terrible to an innocent baby," said Dawn Thornton, a family friend.

The family set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral and burial costs.